Less Lethal Ammunition Global Market Report 2024

The less lethal ammunition market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.03 billion in 2023 to $1.08 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to various factors, including the emergence of civil rights movements and protests, heightened law enforcement needs, tactical and military operations, increasing public pressure, advocacy efforts, and a growing awareness of human rights issues.

The less lethal ammunition market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.33 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. Anticipated growth in the upcoming period is driven by heightened global security concerns, accelerated urbanization, expanding population, ethical imperatives, and humanitarian considerations. This growth is also fueled by the necessity for risk mitigation strategies and international efforts towards resolving conflicts. Key trends expected in this period encompass the integration of training and simulation, the application of less lethal ammunition in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, the incorporation of innovative safety features, and a heightened focus on enhancing effectiveness and accuracy in these specialized products.

The less lethal ammunition market is poised for growth, propelled by the increasing number of crime cases. Crime, defined as unlawful activities subject to legal punishment, necessitates law enforcement's use of less lethal ammunition to provide a non-lethal option for controlling and subduing potential threats, thereby reducing the risk of fatal injuries. As of March 2023, a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a US-based law enforcement agency, indicated an 11.6% increase in hate crime incidents, rising from 8,120 in 2020 to 9,065 in 2021. This surge in crime incidents underscores the importance of less lethal ammunition in law enforcement, positioning it as a key driver for the market's growth.

The less lethal ammunition market is experiencing growth, driven by the augmented budget allocation for the military and law enforcement sectors. Budget allocation for these sectors involves the government earmarking financial resources to fund operations, activities, and equipment. This allocation supports the expansion of less-lethal ammunition, enabling the development and deployment of advanced technologies to enhance the capabilities of security forces and address concerns related to lethal force. For instance, in April 2022, the US Department of Defense reported a discretionary budget authority for the military of approximately $705.39 billion in FY2021. The projected budget request for FY2023 is $773.0 billion, reflecting the National Defense Strategy's emphasis on addressing challenges posed by China. The increased budget allocation for military and law enforcement sectors is identified as a significant factor driving the growth of the less lethal ammunition market.

Training and simulation solutions have emerged as a pivotal trend in the less-lethal ammunition market, with major companies actively developing innovative products to solidify their market positions. In February 2022, RUAG Ammotec's Defense and Law Enforcement business unit (DLE), a part of the Swiss technology company RUAG Group, introduced lead-free 9x19 LF Training SX ammunition. This new product, weighing 6.1 g and 94 g, addresses the increased demand from police departments for lead-free, low-pollutant ammunition. Notably, the cartridge maintains the same point of impact and equivalent recoil as the traditional ACTION 4 cartridge due to a precisely regulated charging procedure. The introduction of training and simulation solutions in the form of lead-free ammunition exemplifies a key trend driving the less-lethal ammunition market's growth.

Major players in the less-lethal ammunition market are directing their efforts towards developing innovative products, including less-lethal shotgun ammunition. Less-lethal shotgun ammunition is designed to incapacitate or deter threats without causing fatal injuries. In September 2023, Byrna Technologies, a US-based defense products manufacturer, launched Byrna LE. This handheld gun features patented pull-pierce technology and an increased shot capacity, offering a more powerful alternative. Accompanying the launcher is a fin-tailed 12-gauge shotgun shell, providing enhanced self-defense options that enable users to switch between less-lethal and standard rounds. Byrna Technologies aims to reduce gun-related casualties by promoting the use of these alternatives, citing real-world successes in preventing carjackings, thwarting muggings, and deterring home invasions. The focus on innovative shotgun products stands out as a strategy to increase profitability in the less-lethal ammunition market.

In May 2021, Byrna Technologies Inc., a technology firm headquartered in the United States and specializing in personal security devices, successfully acquired Mission Less Lethal LLC for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition positions Byrna favorably to markedly expand its presence in sectors such as law enforcement, private security, and school safety. By integrating the Mission product line and leveraging its valuable intellectual property (IP) on non-lethal applications, Byrna aims to enhance its offerings significantly. Mission Less Lethal LLC, a defense product manufacturing company based in the US, specializes in providing less lethal ammunition solutions, aligning with Byrna's strategy to diversify and strengthen its portfolio in the field of non-lethal security solutions.

Major companies operating in the less lethal ammunition market report are Rheinmetall AG, ALS Technologies, Axon Enterprise Inc., Remington Arms, Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, FN Herstal, Heckler & Koch, Companhia Brasileira De Cartuchos (CBC), Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, Safariland, Glock Ges.m.b.H, Beretta, ISPRA Ltd., Combined Systems Inc., Savage Arms, Byrna Technologies Inc., Mossberg, Security Equipment Corporation, Federal Ammunition, PepperBall Technologies Inc., Lrad Corporation, Sage Control Ordnance Inc., Nonlethal Technologies Inc., Mace Security International Inc., Benelli, Lightfield Ammunition Corporation, Security Devices International Inc.

North America was the largest region in the less lethal ammunition market in 2023. The regions covered in the less lethal ammunition market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the less lethal ammunition market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary types of less lethal ammunition include rubber bullets, bean bag rounds, plastic bullets, and paintballs. Rubber bullets, for instance, are non-lethal ammunition specifically crafted for use in crowd control and riot situations by law enforcement or military personnel. They are intended to disperse or incapacitate individuals without causing fatal harm. Rubber bullets are compatible with various weapon types, including shotguns and launchers, and find applications in military and law enforcement scenarios.

The less lethal ammunition services research report is one of a series of new reports that provides less lethal ammunition market statistics, including the less lethal ammunition industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a less lethal ammunition market share, detailed less lethal ammunition market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the less lethal ammunition industry. This less lethal ammunition market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The less lethal ammunition market consists of sales of rubber buckshot, soft polymer rounds, wax bullets, sponge grenades, ring airfoil projectiles and taser xrep rounds. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.